Locking device for car-dumper platforms



March 2 1926.

. w. cRlsT LOCKING DEVICE FOR CAR DUMPER PLATFORMS Filed Dc. 27. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 @f5/MQW March 2;-1925. 1,575,415

f R. W. CRIST LOCKING DEVlCE FOR CAR DUMPER PLATFORMS Filed Dec. 27, 1923 SS'Sheets-Sheet 2 l lvl/:rafale March Z 1926. v 1,575,415

R. w. cRlsT LOCKING DEVICE FOR CAR DUMFER PLATFORMS Filed Dec. 27, 1923 3 sheets-sheet :s

nuff/roze @r/74 257th!" Patented Mar. 2, 1926A?.

ITE. sra'rss PATENT i oFF-lcs.

RBER-l W'. CRIST, OF BEDFOD, OHO, ASSEGNOR 'I THE MoMYLER-INTERSTATE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, GHI`,`A CORPORATIGN OF OI-IEO.

LCKENG DEVICE FR CAR-BUMPER PLATFORMS.-

Applcaton filed December 27, Serial No. 682,902.

To all cli/tom t may concern.'

e it lznown that l, ROBERT W. Carer, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bedford, in the county of Cuyahoga and State ot Ghio, have invented a certain new and useluly Improvement in a Looking Device for Car-Dumper Platforms, o' `which the following is a. full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accoi'npanying drawings.

rl`his invention relates to cardumpers of `the tvpe'having a cradle and a platen or plat crm in the cradle on which a loaded is run, and which is adapted to lift and .Brt the car to dumpits contents Jfrom the open top. ln inverting a car with such a damper support, means are provided for holding` the ear against the rails on the platen when in a substantially inverted position. lt sometimes happens that while the car is so held in its dumping position the cer will move downwardly or sag slightly in its supports, due to the brealiii'lg` or shitting.; oi? material which may have been caught between the supports and the top ot the car, with the result that the car wheels and flanges leave the rails oi the plate .Y lt is also usual to provide means for shittingthe platen on the cradle laterally as the cradle leaves its foundation during the first upward movement oi the cradleV and' car, bringingthe car sideways against the side of the cradle. This side movement is commonly accomplished by the clamping` counter weights whose cables are attached to the platen, and when the car in its inverted position sags away from the rails, the platen is thereby still further moved sideways, being` relieved from the restraining :torce which was produced by the car while firmly held on to the rails. This sideways Inovement brings the rails out of line with the wheels of the car, with the resultthat when the cradle is rotated to upright position the car wheels do not again come on to the rails, and thus the ditiicultiesrincdent to the derailment of a` car are encountered.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a means to prevent the platen on the cradle of the car dumper from moving sideways, in case the car which is being` dumped should leave the platen rails as described. p y

l'- more spccilic object is to `provide such such avlatching and restraining mechanism that it `may be very certain in operation and may be capable of application to various eX- listing' forms of car dumper cradles.

'Other objects will bec-omey apparent in the following description` which refers 'to the drawings Aillustrating` a preferred embodiment of myinvention. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

ln the drawings, Fig. l is an end elevation ot the cradle. and portion of the car `damper tower traine showing a oar on the cradle; Fig. 2 is a` view oi? the same parts showingl the cradle turned over with the car in a dumping position; Fig is a sectional ele-` vator ora portionof the cradle showing,` `one ot the latching mechanismsyllig. 4l is aseotional detail-taken transversely througlra portion 'ot the cradle and platenV showing the latching; mechanisms; Fig. 5 is similar View illustrating` amoditied formoil latching device. V Y f A portion of the car damper tower frame is indicated in the drawings as consisting of uprights and cross members 2 atthe top of the trame which may beof any suitable construction. Guide channels l fixed in the frame at each end of the cradle form a vertical trackway therefor. The cradle is shown as consisting of an upright side portion 6 and tansverse horizontal supporting members 7 Vsuitably connected to form ,a

rigid frame carrying ailaterally Vmovable platen l() on which are mounted rails 12, adapted'when the cradle is in its lowermost positionto .stand in alignment with a trackway leading on to the cradle and away from it, so that cars may be successively moved onk to and away from it in the usual manner.

In Fig. 2, the rails of the track` leading away from the cradle are indicated` at 13. 15 indioatesa car with its wheels 16 on the platen rails l2. On the side of they cradle @may be provided vertical wooden bumpers cradle. krgroove for lthe chain 22 and are adapted to tinued preferably in the nature of the cable 22, shownas extending over a sheave 25 on one .of 'the cross frame members above the cradle. Clamps, shown as each consisting of a vertical slidable meiiber '80, with an inwardlyl extending head'are mounted in suitable guideways 18v on the side of the The 4clamps eachhave arguiding engage the tops-of 'the car side while the membe'rlS receives the side thereof. A clamp, l1nk'32 pivoted to the inwardly extending head S1 of the member -30 cairiesl at itsfree end guiding sheaves )84 Aand 35 embracing the chain, so that it may be brought across the top of the carwhen latter is turnedl over. The pull on 'this flexible member 22'draws the car against the side Y of VLthe cradle, that is, against the bumpers,

and the Vflanges inthe car wheels and the weight of the-car on the platen stops the y lateral movement of the platen when the car rests against the bumpers. As stated, it is the ,purpose of 'the present invention to latch the "platen in kthis position, which varies with carsof different widths, so that when the weight ofthe ear is removed from lthe platen, particularly when 'the carsags downwardly, lthe platen :is Aheld in position to again receive the wheels of the car.

It is also necessary that such latching 1means bever-y heavy and strong while still allowing Aoperative locking engagement ina series ofclosely related positions. A very satisfactory form or arrangement is illustrated -particularly in Figs. 1 to r4. Asthere shown,'on the underside of the platen is firmly mounted a rack having ratchet teeth as indicated at '40 long enough to extend 'over a series of-correspondingly `toothed Alatch members 42, shown as each having three teeth 48. IA hav'eshownlfour of these latchv members, and ythe teeth (if-each rare offset from the-corresponding teeth of the lneighboring slide yby Aa distance equal to one fourth 'of that betweenadjacent teetlron any slide.k rIhus I have vwhat 'may be called a verniered arrangement of teeth.

Eachmember 42 is connected by a link 44 witha bell'cranl: 45,r pivotally supported 4on the transverse shaft v46 carried in suitable bracxets rigid with the frame of the cradle,

and having counterweight members 48.,

tially the full depth of 'the teeth.

whereby each latch member is moved upwardly as the cradle is `turned to dumping position. The slides 42 are shown as rigidly supported 'at each side by members 49 serving to form a boxlile guideway rigid with the cradle. Its each may vbe moved upwardly independently of the other until stopped by the teeth 40 of the ratchet on the cradle, at least one of the sets of Teeth 43 will come into ini engagement with the full vertical faces of the ratchet 40 and 43.

The teeth 43 being progressively staggered with relation to those-of the next slide latch 42, andthe teeth 40 extending' over all `Vfour 'members as 'shown :provide for an `engagement in several ypositions within the distance from one -tooth to another. Therefore, the

ratchet 'teeth maybe of such size as to be thoroughly effective and yet the movement of the platen will be arrested by some one of `the latch `members 'before the rails `can move away from lproper alignment with the car wlieels.- i

The usual cross beam or girder supporting the dumping chute or apron is not shown in the drawings fexcept that at each end thereof vis a large `bracket `carrying a pivot ear shownat 50. The 4apron is made vertically adjustable by any suitablewell known means, such as a large supporting screw, indicated at 52, 'at `each end ofthe girder.

Lifting 'cables are indicated yat 54, extending kover sheaves 55 andthrough a pulley block 56 pivoted at 5! to brackets 58 rigid with'the cradle, and serve for tilting the cradle in the vusual manner. The cradle with the car lthereon is elevated until a pin -60 at each end meets tliesocket of the corresponding pivot 'ear 50, whereupon .the ycar yand cradle areswung about'this pivot asfa center Ato ltilt itto .a dumping position, shown in F ig. "2. Y f

During the `first part of the elevating movement, vthe car lis brought against the side of the cradle, as described, and the tilting of the cradle causes the weights 48 to urge thek ratchet slides 42 zupwardly into engagement 'with' the teeth 40,at least'one of which effects lan engagement for substan- Any further `side movement Iof fthe cradle fis preveiitedgeven though the car which is heldin 'position by the clamps and 'loops, as described, 4may:sagiaway from the rails when in the inverted position. On 'therreturn of `v'the car to its upright'position, the wheels meet therails which have Vthus been heldin the same position with relation :to the car, and, as the Acradle assumes itsupright position, the weights 48 withdraw the latches and-the platen maybe brought into ralignment with the stationary rails at the 'opposite ends of the apparatus in the usual manner. l

The modified form of latch illustrated in EEG (lll

Fig. consists ci a series et siniplevbeil cranks with Weight arms T0 on the latch hooks 72, adapted to coact with a toothed plate 74 secured to the .bottom of the platen as bet'ore, the bell cranks being pivoted, as indicated at *55, on a shaft carried by a suitable bracket T6 and having teeth offset from each other or verniered. Tliis'construction allows` 'for an undercut tooth arrangement as shown, and by using a series oif latch hooks, each extending a little further from the pivot than 'theneiit, the teeth may be ot large size and yet engagement atshort iii-4 tervals may be assured, the saine as with the previously described construction.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided device applica ble to Well known forms of car dumpers which Will etlectively prevent the platen on thecradle oitl the car dumpcr from moving sidewayswhen the clamping effect of the car on the rails is released. The particular loi-nis in which my invention is illust-rated as embodied areexemplary only, and its `principle is capable of adaptation to lvarious iornis of diiiiiper and cradle constructions by the use of various'latching devices, Within the scope of the appended claims. y

Having thus described my invention, I

cl aim l. In a car duinper, the combination of a cradle, and a laterally movable platen on the cradle onto which a. loaded car may be run, means for tilting the cradle and means operating automatically when the cradle is tilted. ior latcliing the platen against shifting laterally with relation to the cradle.

2. in a car damper of the class described, 'the combination ot a cradle, and a laterally movable track platen on the cradle, means lor tilting the cradle, means ior clamping i ear to the cradle While inverted, said means teiiding to move the platen sideways, and means for latching the platen in a iiXed position as the cradle is being rotated to duinping position. y

In a car duinper of the class described, the combination of a cradle, and a laterallyr movable track platen onto which a loaded car may be run, means iler tilting the cradle, and means for latcliing the platen against the shifting laterally on the cradle When the cradle is tilted, said means including a series of toothed members, and means for actuating the members independently of each other and simultaneously.

et. In a car damper l the class described, the combination ol a c adle, and a laterally movable platen onto which a leaded car may be run, means for tilting the cradle, and means i'or latching the platen against the sl'iiiting laterally against the cradle When the cradle is tilted, said means including s series ci latch members having teeth spaced progressively, and a rack extending over cradle vWhile inverted and means selig-con tained on the .cradle and platenv ttor latcliff ing the platenagainst sideways movement,

said means becoming etlective upon the tilting movement oi the cradle. and remaining effective during further tilting thereof.

c 6. In a car duinper ci the class described the combination oi the cradle, the laterally lmovable track and support therefor` on the cradle onto which a loaded car may be run, means for tilting the cradle, Vand means ac tuated by the tilting ot' the cradlefor engaging the track supports to prevent shiftingoi' the car While the cradle isin atilted position. v y

7. In a car dumper oiftlie'class described the Vcombination ot a cradle, a track and track support on the cradle onto which the leaded car may be run, means `i'or shifting the track and support laterally olf the cradle to bring the side of the car against the side of the cradle, and means rendered eii'ective by tlic tilting of the cradle `lor latching the track support toprevent movement thereot While the cradle is further tilted, said means becoming' released upon the cradle resuming a position with the car upright;

8,. Vln a car duinper of the classdescribed the combination of a cradle, a track and support; therefor movable late 'ally on the cradle, means connectedlto the support and including counterweights tor ,moving the support and track laterally on the cradle, means for clamping the car support to the cradle including a shoulder on the clamp adapted to be engaged to prevent lateral movementV of the support and track with relation to the cradle, means Yfor engaging the shoulder consisting 01"' a plurality of shoulders movable toward and away from the iii-st mentioned shoulder and carried by the cradle, and weights acting to move said shoulders into engagement consequent upon a tilting movement oit' the cradle.

9. In a car dumper of the class described, the combination of a cradle, a laterally movable track support and track thereon, mounted on the cradle and onto Which a loaded 'car may be run, means vfor tilting the cradle, and means effecting a lateral movement of the platen to move the car against the .side of the cradle, a laterally facing shoulder rigid With `the supports, a series oli' verniered latches carried by the cradle and adapted to engage said shoulder.

10. In a car dumper of the class described, the combination oi a cradle, .a track support and track mounted on the cradle and onto which a'loaded car-may berun, said support andtrack beinglaterally movable on the cradle to bring 4the car against the Vside ot the cradle, a plurality of ratchet teeth rigid with the support, a plurality of movable latch members having complementary ratchet teeth and carried by the cradle and adapted to be moved into engagement with the ratchet teeth on the platen, means for eitecting `such ,movement consequent upon the tilting rmovement of the cradle,vthe teeth beingadapted to engage in a plurality of positions vvWithin lthe space of the pitch -of one of the teeth., y Y ll. In a car dumperol the .class described, the combination of va cradle, a track support and track mounted on the cradle and onto which a'loaded car maybe run, said support and track being laterally movable on the cradle to bring wthe car against vthe side `of the cradle, means for locking the platen including a plurality of ratchet teeth, a vplurality or latch members having complementary ratchet teeth in a Vernier spacingand adapted to be moved into engagement with the iirst named ratchet teeth, means for effecting f such movement consequent upon the .tilting movement or" the cradle, said Vernier arrangement permitting the use oi' large and strong parts engaging ina plurality of positions' Within less distance than the pitch of anyone vengaging member.

12. In a car dumper, the combination of a cradle, and a laterally movable tracl'platen onto which a-loaded car'may be run, means fortilting the-cradle, andmeans Jfor latching the platen .against shifting laterally on the cradle when the cradle is tilted, said means being-carried partly by theplaten and partly by the 'cradle and including a toothed member on one o't them and a set ot' members on the other.

13. In Va car dumper, the combination of a cradle,fa `'laterally movable platen thereon onto `which a loaded car may be run, means for tilting the cradle, and means for latchingv the platen against shifting laterally, saidy means including a series of latch members spaced progressively, anda rack having teethto coast-With any of Ithe latch members.r Y

let. 'In a car damper, thecombination of the cradle, a laterally movable track and support therefor on the cradle onto which a loaded car may be run, means for tilting thecradle, and means for locking the support to the cradle including a rack on one of them and a plurality of kmembers having a Vernier spacing on the other. V

l5. rIn a car dumper, the combination of a cradle, Ya laterally movable Vplaten having a track thereon, mounted on the cradle and onto which a loaded car may be run, means for tilting vthe cradle,` and means etfecting a lateral movement of the platen to move the'fcar against the side of the cradle and a latching device for the platen including a rack onthe platen land a cooperating member mounted v on rthe cradleand provided with a cOunterWeight.

16. ln a car dumper, a combination of a cradle, a shiftable platform therein, a rack on one of such members and a plurality of verniered teeth on the other of .such members adapted to cooperate With the rack.

In .testimony whereof, I hereunto attix my signature.

Roer. wearer. i 

